Blue Economy: Barcelona's
Olympic Port

We help Barcelona transform an emblematic area into an innovative facility open to the public, driving new sustainable opportunities with the sea as a focal point and promoting the city as a world benchmark in blue economy.

The challenge

The Mediterranean Sea plays a vital role in the economic growth of coastal cities, contributing a substantial $450 billion annually, primarily driven by tourism and fishing. However, the sustainability of these economic gains is contingent upon the preservation of ecosystems currently under severe pressure from human activities and climate change.

Barcelona is intimately connected to this challenge, given its historical and geographical identity as a coastal metropolis. In 2018, Barcelona de Serveis Municipals (B:SM), a public entity under the Barcelona City Council, embarked on an ambitious mission to transform and economically revitalize the iconic Olympic Port of Barcelona, originally conceived for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. With a three-decade history, the city decided to chart a new course for the Olympic Port—envisaging a sports and urban facility embracing the principles of the blue economy. This strategic shift aims to create innovative and sustainable economic opportunities while simultaneously addressing the challenges posed by climate change.

Our approach

Within this context, B:SM sought the expertise of Anteverti to develop the Blue Economy Strategy for the Olympic Port. We initiated the project with a comprehensive global benchmarking exercise, studying marinas such as Rotterdam and Helsinki that had successfully integrated blue economy activities. Subsequently, we conducted a thorough market study to identify future trends and potential sectors for development within the blue economy.

We meticulously matched available spaces included in the new vision for the Olympic Port with the identified economic activities, analyzing target audiences, partners, and potential impacts. Proposed areas of focus included innovation and technology in the blue economy sector, sustainable nautical and recreational activities, circular economy practices, and eco-friendly nautical services and products.

Additionally, we devised a plan for community initiatives designed to engage and inform citizens about the transformation of the Olympic Port into a thriving Blue Economy hub, emphasizing the benefits for both the community and the city.

The impact

The revitalization of the Olympic Port is currently in progress, with an anticipated completion date before the 2024 America’s Cup celebration. This transformation aims to become a unique employment generator in a strategically significant part of the city’s evolving economy.

The Blue Economy Strategy aspires to foster a community of innovative companies and entrepreneurs, facilitating synergies with the city’s fabric. Key to this endeavor are partnerships with universities, technological institutes, and innovation-promoting institutions, given the proximity to major centers and dynamic hubs such as the 22@ technological district and the Port of Barcelona. The potential for driving positive change through this transformation is highly promising.